reef
noun
a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral debris, at or near the surface of the water.
reefing
-
present participleof reef.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Part of that action is Patten’s realization that the sailor’s standard storm tactics—including reefing, heaving-to and lying a-hull—will not work in such an intense blow.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
Operators are loth to estimate costs publicly, but the Tulane University Energy Institute reckons that reefing the state’s 27 platforms could save $2 billion.
From Economist ● Jun. 12, 2014
Four years ago the Golden State passed a law allowing reefing.
From Economist ● Jun. 12, 2014
Farther down the fleet, the crew on Carlo Falcone's 67-year-old Fife-designed yawl Mariella were busy reefing and shaking in tune with the lightning-lit 40-knot squalls, until losing the top of their mizzenmast.
From Time Magazine Archive
Already reefing from the floods, Cahokia never recovered from the earthquake.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
